Attorney Malcolm Crosland Received President's Award from WILG

Attorney Malcolm Crosland received a President’s Award from the Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG) on September 25^th, 2016 for exemplifying WILG’s mission by serving as Chairperson of WILG’s Opt Out Taskforce in 2016. By chairing the Opt Out Taskforce, Attorney Crosland worked across the nation to fight plans that allowed employers to opt out of workers' compensation and develop their own workplace injury plans.

WILG is a national organization of lawyers who exclusively represent injured workers who have workers’ compensation claims. Founded in 1995, WILG has been dedicated to representing millions of workers and their families who suffer the consequences of workplace injuries and illnesses. WILG has grown into an important voice for workers across the nation and in Washington, D.C., where WILG members have fought to protect the rights of injured workers. WILG assists attorneys and non-profit groups in advocating for the rights of injured workers through education, communication, research, and information. Malcolm’s work on the Opt Out Taskforce has focused on the fight to preserve our current workers’ compensation system across the country.

Normally, in the event that a worker is injured on the job, most employers carry workers’ compensation insurance, which covers the cost of medical treatment and weekly benefits if the injury keeps the employee out of work. The workers’ compensation system benefits the employer as well as the employee by providing medical treatment and other benefits to the worker, and protects employers from lawsuits by employees.

Some employers want to change the system by “opting out” of the traditional workers’ compensation system. Those employers who support “opt out” want to able create an alternative compensation plan for their employees, which will allow employers to control the entire workers’ compensation system.

“Opt out” plans generally cover fewer injuries, cut off benefit payments sooner, control access to doctors, and even impose mandatory settlements; all under virtual total control of the employer.

Attorney Crosland has also served on a number of charitable boards and law-related committees, including the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina. In addition to litigating for people injured by the negligence of others, Crosland represents working men and women before the SC Workers Compensation Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor. He is responsible for numerous appellate decisions in both state and federal courts.